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Why I Joined Shell

From personal development to the ability to make a difference, explore the reasons our employees chose Shell.

Laura (Account Manager, US)

“I’m using the skills I’ve gained to help promote renewable products.”

I have always wanted to work in energy and minored in sustainability at college, so I am especially passionate about renewable energy. Energy fuels everything, so working for a company that makes this vital resource accessible to more people across the globe is really important to me. At Shell, I can see myself working towards a more sustainable movement.

I’ve been really impressed by Shell’s company ethos and culture. The graduate programme is an amazing, immersive experience that provides new employees with all of the support they need. It’s fast paced and offers you lots of experience, projects and opportunities in new areas that you wouldn’t otherwise get. The company culture values performance, achievement, and, maybe most importantly, relationships. We really care about one another here, and from my very first days I felt a strong spirit of camaraderie.

I am also passionate about diversity and gender equality, and it’s been really inspiring to see the growing number of women in leadership positions here. The company culture supports me to be authentic and open. I don’t feel like I need to hide the things I care about at Shell.

Since joining Shell I’ve seen how the company uses innovation to support sustainability, and it’s been very exciting. I know that one person can’t change everything, but we all can make an impact. I feel like although I am just one individual within a huge company, I can actually help in the energy transition. That’s really important to me.

Thomas (Energy Transition, NL)

“I wanted to work somewhere where I could have the biggest impact.”

When I graduated with a physics degree, I asked myself two questions: How could I have the biggest impact and where can I develop myself to the best of my abilities?

I set out to find the answer, visiting several companies and speaking with a lot of people about my options. I had friends who were already working at Shell, listening to their experiences really resonated with me and what I was looking for in a career. It was how they talked about their work with passion and enthusiasm convinced me to join Shell.

As an energy transition advisor I work in the cross section of technical and commercial new business development. I provide analyses and business cases to support our strategic decisions focused on future Hydrogen opportunities. It’s actually quite adventurous and I love the entrepreneurial side of things.

I always wanted to work with technology – it’s one of the main reasons I joined Shell. We have a sizeable tech centre here at Shell in the Netherlands; there’s a lot of innovation and it’s exciting to see how many start-ups are contacting us for possible partnerships.

Being surrounded by such open-minded and forward-thinking people is a great environment to work in. I am continually impressed by the people around me.

Senior management are also supportive and are very responsive. If you want to chat with a senior manager, they are always open to sitting down with you. My line manager wanted to introduce me to some people and it was only afterwards that I realised I had just met the Chief Technology Officer and the director of Shell’s biggest refinery. It’s a very open culture and you get the opportunity to meet people from all the different Shell businesses from all around the world.

The application process at Shell is unusual. You apply to join the company, not for a specific role. You choose Shell and they discuss the types of role’s that would be great for you and your development. You have to trust the process, but in return they also place a lot of trust in you!; you may not know where you’ll end up, but the company is dedicated to finding something that fits. It opens you up to greater possibilities and opportunities that you otherwise may not have experienced. It’s great, it means you’re not going to be stuck in the same role for 5 or 6 years, because you do several shorter rotations while you figure out what you want to do for the longer term.

In my view, the energy transition defines our generation, so I wanted to work somewhere where I could have the biggest impact. I believe Shell has a very important role to play in the future of energy and I’m invested in helping make that happen. I am very happy and grateful that I have the job that I have.

Toib (HR Team Leader, UK)

“Being in HR, I’m the enabler to support the energy transition.”

I started work as an intern in investment banking and then as a teacher in London. I loved teaching and remain proud of my achievements, but I realised I wanted the challenge of the corporate world. I started looking for a company that would provide meaningful, challenging and stimulating work. I wanted to grow both personally and professionally, working at Shell has allowed me to do that.

It is easy to think that Human Resources (HR) is one step removed from the business, almost like the supporting cast. But we are at a moment where our company needs to engage people in one of the biggest questions facing society: how the world will meet growing demand for energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same time. HR plays a vital role in recruiting people who share our company’s vision to deliver more and cleaner energy and we need people who share our passion for bringing that vision to life.

What I value most about Shell is the priority it places on diversity, inclusion and fairness. For example, on the gender pay gap issue, Shell was one of the first major companies to publish data on the gender pay gap in the UK. I think the company has been transparent about the current situation and the ambitions we have to make a change. Beyond the pay gap, our transparency has also helped to shape the conversation in our industry around how to engage more girls in studies linked to science, technology, engineering and mathematics and get them interested in pursuing careers in energy.

One of the most interesting things I have found since joining Shell is how much you can learn outside of your day job. From travel, talks and debates, to internal assignments and demonstrations of the latest technology, Shell provides all sorts of opportunities for work and development. I genuinely feel like the possibilities are endless here at Shell, for me and for anyone who joins us.

Sharief (Engineer, US)

“It’s really inspiring to be working for a company that’s making a difference.”

I believe in being a responsible citizen. There are more than 7 billion people in the world. It is not just about one person. What we do has an impact on everyone around us. For us to thrive as individuals, we need to work together to make sure that we are healthy as a global community.

That is why I want a career where I can help create real change. It is important to know I am working for a company that wants to make a change and do it responsibly. Shell is a leader in energy with a truly global impact, so I feel I am helping move the needle in the right direction by working here.

I appreciate the innovative projects that are applied to my everyday work as a deep-water wells engineer. Thriving through the energy transition means developing technologies for wells engineering that enable lower-carbon production and delivering operations in a more efficient and safer manner. Being part of these projects makes me feel I am responsible citizen in the world through the work we do.

Caring is a big part of the culture at Shell, where people come first. It is one of the many reasons I enjoy working here. Yes, people are very orientated towards results. But they are also dedicated to each other’s well-being and that is an important balance to strike. I know my colleagues and their families. It is a supportive working environment.

In addition to my day job, I am on the board of an employee group called The Future Energy Lions. It is a grassroots network where we focus on raising awareness of sustainability campaigns and initiatives focused on the transition to lower-carbon energy. At Shell, there is a real drive to be responsible and do the right thing. It is a value that all employees share. I truly believe that if we all push in the same direction and band together, we can accomplish great things.

Hayley (Engineer, UK)

"I’m part of a team and I don’t have to do this journey on my own."

Growing up, I certainly did not see myself working on an offshore oil rig, wearing overalls and getting covered in cement dust. But within three weeks of joining Shell’s graduate programme, I went straight to helicopter and offshore training before meeting my team at a North Sea platform for my first hands-on experience. It was a whirlwind start and an amazing, inspiring experience.

I am one of only two women in a crew of 120 guys, which at first felt a little overwhelming. But I have learned that what is great about Shell is that people give you opportunities based on your skills. From day one, I was given the responsibility of going offshore in a supervisory role, and knowing that Shell has that confidence in me, and my team, has shown me what I am capable of and fuelled my ambition. I really love it.

I currently work on the very end of the oil production cycle, decommissioning wells. But during the three years of the graduate programme, I will experience work in different fields, like wind and solar energy. I love that Shell provides opportunities to explore so many different and exciting career paths.

Coming from a research background, I am passionate about innovation. It has been great to see Shell applying innovation and digitalising processes offshore, and exciting to be part of teams implementing new techniques. Every day, I work in an environment of fast change, with people who are always challenging and pushing boundaries. I am really glad to be part of that journey.

That is ultimately why I joined Shell. I wanted to work for a company that I knew was taking on global challenges while helping people. A company where innovation, creativity and problem-solving are at the heart of everything we do. I have found that at Shell.

What is also important to me is the feeling of belonging to a team with a shared vision and commitment to collaboration. I have met people from different departments within Shell, and it has been inspiring to realise that we all share the same passion for our work. It feels really good to know I am part of a team of people who support each other, and that I do not have to make this journey on my own.

I certainly believe that we, as individuals, can make a difference. But it feels really good to have a company behind you that is committed to delivering real change, and the scale to make a global impact. For me, Shell is one of the best, most innovative companies out there, and I am so glad to work here.

Ryan (Engineer, US)

"I need to help create the world I want to see."

I joined Shell because I wanted to be involved in things that I consider to be important, like social justice. I have been very fortunate to have never gone without a meal, gas in the car or heat in the home. Since joining Shell, I have been given the opportunity to think about all the privileges I have had, and it has opened my eyes.

I feel very aligned with Shell’s goal of providing access to energy for all and giving people and societies the tools they need to thrive and be successful. It means schools can use the internet rather than relying on 30-year old textbooks. Students do not have to stop studying when the sun goes down, because they have no electricity for lighting. And it means having fuel for your car if you are about to give birth and the nearest hospital is 100 miles away.

For me, the biggest part of my job is the community. Yes, the technology is very interesting, and the opportunities are exciting – flying offshore to work on a platform is something I could not do in many other companies, and certainly not in other industries. But what really fulfils me is the people I work with at Shell and the trust I have in the company.

I feel my purpose at Shell is bringing people together so they can do the best they can with their talents and skills. I am president of the New Professionals Network and I often visit each of the twelve chapters and look at the communities they have built there. They are all very different in terms of the culture and the people but the common thread is that they are dedicated to doing a good job and passionate about making the world a better place, however they can.

I like that Shell’s focus is on people and doing right through their employees. To me, that means helping them do what feels important, not just in work but in everyday life, whether it is participating in volunteer programmes overseas or in the community. I volunteered in Houston after Hurricane Harvey and seeing how Shell helped the community rebuild made me very proud to work for the company.

I interned at several different companies before deciding on which company to work for as my first job. Comparing my experiences, I feel that at Shell I am doing the work I need to be doing, and am grateful for the experience.

Quirijn (IT, Netherlands)

"I tend to look at people rather than just the data."

I wanted a job that offered important work and the chance to make a difference. I have found it at Shell. When you realise how many people in this world still do not have access to energy, and how Shell can help change that, it is inspiring. I know there are families who have never had access to electricity before, and children who cannot go to school in the winter because of a lack of heat. When those families can flick a switch and suddenly have light, it is a real moment of excitement and change. In that moment when the lights come on, it is about possibilities. About looking to the future.

I always considered myself quite analytical and data-driven, but it was only when I joined Shell that I started learning about myself and how I always like to put people first. I realised that my passion is connecting with people. That is the main thing that drives me in my job and my life outside the office.

One of the great things about Shell is the people. It is a relationship-building company. People talk to each other, they feel included, and it feels like we all work together. Often, working in IT, you can become disengaged from the company. At Shell, it is different. People are engaged with the purpose of the company, because of strong leadership but also the company’s clear vision for the future and how we can support the energy transition while still giving people the energy they need.

I have worked in other technology companies alongside hardworking people and using state-of-the-art technology. But what I missed was being able to work on a tangible product. What I like most about working for Shell is that there is this real product that will one day help bring energy to people in a sustainable way. Using technology, we have real opportunities to deliver change.

I am 24 years old and it is probably a typical millennial thing to say that I want to bring change to the world. I want to have a purpose in my work life, and hopefully, in 30 years, I can look back and see that I made a difference in the world.

Abhilasha (Engineer, India)

"To be working for a company that genuinely cares is a big thing for me."

One of the main reasons I love working for Shell is that its prime focus is people. People genuinely care for each other, whether they are senior or junior colleagues. As a female engineer, I want to know that I am valued as a person, as well as an employee, and that I am treated equally to others. For me, it is a special part of the culture at Shell, I see it and feel it every day I come to work.

I am interested in earth sciences, so I did my BTech degree in geoinformatics. In my current role, I work as part of the Data Operations team, which is fascinating. We use advanced technologies to help us detect possible exploration sites around the world.

I joined Shell because it has a broad range of businesses and activities. I was surprised at how many opportunities there are for my career and personal development. There are just so many to choose from. It makes me excited for the future.

Before I started working for Shell, I perceived it solely as an oil and gas company. But when I joined, I realised that it is putting a great deal of effort and investment into new technology to develop a cleaner energy business. We all need more energy to live better lives, but we also need to care about the planet. So, we must innovate.

There is also a need to provide more affordable access to energy for people who currently do not have it. One of my career goals is to be part of a team that provides solutions that can help society make that happen. I believe Shell is aiming to make positive changes. I want to be a part of that change, it is something I am very passionate about.

My parents always encouraged me to pursue anything I wanted to. My biggest goal is to make my family proud of me. Coming from a small town in Rajasthan, India, and now working to fulfil my ambitions at a huge company with a global impact just feels amazing!

Melinda (Engineer, Singapore)

"I feel inspired in such a supportive environment."

From the moment I was introduced to Shell at a recruitment event, I knew this was the company I wanted to work for. I was struck by how welcoming people were, and I could feel there was a good company culture. That is important to me because I love working with people in an environment that is supportive and encourages me to do my best.

Having joined in 2018 as a Process Technologist at Shell Singapore, I have had so many opportunities to expand my skills. I have found Shell to be very supportive of professional development, and every day I have the opportunity to learn from people with incredible levels of expertise and knowledge.

One of the things I value most is being able to share my ideas and bring them to life. I know I can put my ideas out there and feel confident that the people around me will challenge but also support me. It has given me the freedom to really push the limits and continue to develop and grow. There are so many opportunities to explore a variety of roles, whether in the commercial sector or a technical field. It is great to know I have so many options.

Before joining Shell, I never really thought about what kind of impact I could have in my work and community. But now, I realise that everyone has a role to play. Whether you work in IT or human resources, we are all working towards the same goal of making the energy transition a reality. This mindset is important to me; it inspires my daily work and motivates me to discover how I can contribute in my own way.

I think the next 50 years for me will be about learning on what I need to do so I can be my best and contribute more. I want to work as hard as I can so that when opportunities come, I am ready for them.

For me, working for Shell has helped me realise that the future really is ours to make. There is a real opportunity for me to contribute to the world. So why not start today?

THEIR VISION FOR THE FUTURE

Promoting progress

Laura’s inspiration is the power of progress. From acquiring clean power ventures to investing in alternative fuels and non-profits, her mission is driving a sustainable landscape forward.